A Charity Protecting Scotland’s Heritage

Latest News

Postponed - Volunteers Open Morning

With regret we have decided to postpone the planned Open Morning for new volunteers on Thursday 19th March at Thirlestane Castle.

We have been following recent events closely as measures are taken across the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The health and wellbeing of the wider community and our staff is very important to us and we feel it is not appropriate to hold this event at this time.

This is a constantly evolving situation for the whole country but we are still preparing to open later in the year as planned and will still need our group of wonderful volunteers to help welcome our visitors. If you feel that you would like to be part of this friendly team then please do get in contact.

This summer we are extending our opening days so visitors can tour this 16th-century castle seven days a week. In order to do this and ensure each visitor experience continues to be exceptional, we need to increase our team of amazing volunteer room stewards and guides who generously donate their time to the castle.

Our volunteers, the ‘Friends of Thirlestane’, are an invaluable and extremely enthusiastic resource. Without them, the charitable trust that operates the castle would not be able to open the doors and allow visitors to explore the fascinating building and its unique collections. The ceilings in the State Rooms date from the 17th-century and are among the finest in Europe. The castle holds one of the largest collections of family portraits in the country from a wealth of famous artists such as Romney and Reynolds. This summer will also see the opening of the new ‘School Room Toy Museum’, a brand new space displaying an extensive collection of Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian toys.

Thirlestane Castle Trust is appealing to anyone who may have some spare time, even if it is just a half day every so often, to consider joining the friendly team. The Trust are also looking for people to help in the shop and to meet and greet people so it doesn’t matter if history is not a passion, as the castle is looking for people who will help to give visitors a great experience.

Edward Maitland-Carew said: "We are so indebted to ‘The Friends of Thirlestane’ who do an amazing job welcoming our visitors and sharing this fabulous castle’s stories with them. Without this wonderful group of people we would not be able to open to the public every summer. Please do consider joining the team and coming along to our Open Morning to see how you can help protect this magnificent building for future generations.”